Van der Vaart has been heavily linked with a move to the Bundesliga, with Hamburg saying this week that the Dutchman was just the type of player they are looking for. "We have drawn up a target profile and Rafael van der Vaart would be an ideal fit,'' Hamburg coach Thomas Fink said.

"It's unbelievable how my name is speculated around Europe. I can only say these are only speculations. I will probably stay at Tottenham," the former Real Madrid player told Bild.

Van der Vaart previously spent three seasons at Hamburg, scoring 29 goals in 74 games before leaving to join Real, and said he may return to the Bundesliga later in his career. "Maybe it will happen anytime in the future," he said.